Winds
By
Necole
Disclaimer: All of this belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien!!
Notes: OOOOO lots of notes this time! This is a rather strange chapter, because I am trying to write them as truly together. Yet they have all of these problems that they still need to work out. So, peace and happiness does not come easy. Now, for my big note on Faramir. Look to the book, he says, "were you the blissful Queen of Gondor, still I would love you." So that is my insight for where I am taking him. So no flames about Faramir's character! If he travels into uncharted territory, it is only because of love!!!
I still have BIG plans for this fic, and I appreciate all of you who are still reading this! I hope not to bore!
Now for some thank yous
Trixy: Thank you so much for your truthful review! I appreciated all you had to say! I know I used that whole light and darkness thing WAY too much! I mean it was actually annoying me, and I am writing it! I'm going to try to ignore those two words, but sometimes they have to come back up! As for those last two lines, I agree, they were a bit rushed and not my best! But thank you for sticking it out with me! I hope to entertain more with my following chapters! I hope you will continue to read! Once again, thank you for your honesty!
Dark Wanderer: Thank you for reviewing!!! I, too was annoyed with A/E not being together, it was taking way too long. But they are together now, yet all is not well. They will never have peace, because this is a fan fiction! If they had peace the fic would end, and I have miles to go before I sleep!! I'm glad you are still reading!! Thank you for your sweet words!!!
Van: All I can say is, Thank you! I appreciate your kind words, and I am glad that you are still enjoying my story! I hope that you will continue to do so!! THANK YOU!!!
Kiki: I am not going to give up on this fic, I enjoy writing it, so I shall contiune it! Thank you for your words of encouragement, especially dealing with that icky bad review! What to say? Keep your eyes on Faramir, but remember that I am a TRUE A/E shipper, so don't start worrying yet! Thank you so much for reviewing, and thank you for enjoying my story!
Magsluvsaragorn: I am so glad that you are enjoying my story! I am also happy that you like the length! I plan to make it even longer, so be prepared!! OH! Watch out for Faramir!!!!
Shirl: I am SO SO Happy that you liked my fic!! Thank you so much for reviewing! And I do hope that you will continue to read!!!
Lisa: I am so glad that you liked the last chapter!!! I was worried! I am also worried that you will hate this chapter, but I had to do what I had to do!!! Good Luck with School! And your Harry Potter fic! I am sure that it is phenomenal! Thank you again for being so so sweet!!!
Jen: You always say the nicest things!!! Thank you for that!!! I hate to say that there will definitely be more obstacles, a lot more!! So be prepared! Thank you for always being so kind, I hope that you continue to read and enjoy this story!!!
OKAY!!!! Now, on with the show!!!
Chapter Seven: For Frodo
Éowyn could still hear the sounds of celebration. They rose from the city and the Court of the Fountain on chilled night air. She heard the sounds of life and wished her feet were there to dance. The cold grey of the large room seemed to close in on her. Sleep nor comfort would she find in this room.
She sat up in bed and looked over at the sleeping form of her husband. A gentle smile touched her lips as she moved closer to him. Her touch was faint as she traced the lines of his brow. Even with the peace of sleep his face still held lines of worry. Again she touched them, hoping they would vanish.
They did not.
Eyes opened wide and she heard him take a deep breath. Then his eyes closed again as her lips attempted to do what her hands could not.
"Did I wake you?" She asked him this as her lips found his ear.
"No."
The touch of her lips left him, and he found her face above his.
"Still, you do not sleep?"
Aragorn moved and took her into his arms. Her back was to his chest, their hands were clasp around her waist. He held his lips to her neck for a long time, the heat of his breath caused her to moan as her head fell back onto him. Finally he pulled his lips away and whispered.
"You do not sleep, why should I?"
Éowyn laughed with the suggestion of his roaming hand that accompanied his statement.
With the slow tide of her thoughts came the reasons for her lack of sleep. Her laughter was forgotten and disturbing their closeness she turned in his arms. There was a heavy silence now, one that made the distance between them grow. The bliss of the private moment was forgotten as Aragorn saw her eyes turn cold and grey like the room that held them. He reached out and touched her cheek.
"What is it?"
She smiled with his touch, then closed her eyes for a brief moment. When she did open them again she spoke with honesty.
"I feel that my eyes have been closed for too long. Sleep, I have had, too much. To sleep, is to waste the breath of life, and I do not plan to do that again."
Aragorn watched with quiet sympathy. He knew she felt loss, as did he. The mortal life was a battle, one fought with time. Long did the days seem when sorrow and grief ruled over the land, but now that happiness had found them both, the days grew short.
He touched the Evenstar that still hung from her neck. The life of an immortal was a patient one. A patience that he now longed for.
Éowyn watched as his eyes grew blank and distant. She saw that his hand now lay on the necklace. Her heart fell with the weight of her exhaled breath. Of course, his thought still remained with another. The necklace was all he had left of her. Éowyn did not wish to be jealous. She reacted by first laying a hand over his, then anger was fueled by memory, and she became frozen. The want of his whole heart was all that she could concentrate on. She turned away from him, her back like a wall. She shivered now with the fear of solitude, and the loneliness of such a bare room. Éowyn felt the shock of his stare, so to answer him she spoke with the chill that she now felt.
"I should give this back to you. It is not mine to keep."
Aragorn stared at her turned back, bare and white like sheets of snow. He touched her delicately, with slow hot hands. He traveled the length of her backbone until he reached the slope of her waist. Then he pulled her into a strong, tight embrace. His arms encircled her entire body, and in doing so their arms, their hands merged together like the branches of growing trees.
"I gave it to you, and do not wish for its return."
He kissed her neck, pressing the chain the Evenstar hung by into her skin.
"You are all I wish for."
She did not speak, she only separated herself from the entwining cage of his arms. Éowyn looked at him, studied his face. Her eyes shimmered with the radiance of tears as she closed the distance between them and kissed him.
Grey stone walls came and closed in around them. The rhythm of celebration was slowly absorbed by their bodies, until the world fell away and all was forgotten.
*******
She now looked upon the one thing that grew in Minas Tirith, and even it was not green. The white tree grew and blossomed, but did not bear resemblance to any trees she had seen. It, like the entire city emerged from the mountain with a white pristine glow. She cared not to look at the tree any longer, so she turned her back on the grandness of the High Court. Éowyn walked past the many symbols of her new land, and did not acknowledge them. Her gaze was distant, it looked East where blackness had once been. Yet, now all the land seemed green, and full of life. Something that the White City was missing. Her feet carried her out onto the large mass of stone that jetted out like the floor of a flat bottomed boat. There she stood, on the bow of the city, homesick for the plains of Rohan. She wished for anything green, anything that had life. The city only sparkled below with the loneliness of stone. Her hair tangled in the wind as her eyes called upon the many memories of life that the green world held.
"What do you look for, my lady?"
Startled, she turned quickly. A smile lit up her face when she looked upon her husband. Aragorn came closer, his lines of concern were now quite visible. Éowyn's face fell when their eyes met.
His eyes were wide with the intensity of his question. She looked away, embarrassed by her own selfishness.
"I do not know, my lord."
Aragorn then stepped closer, he touched her lightly on the cheek, causing her to look at him.
"What has brought on your sadness?"
Her eyes searched his, looking for a way to not answer his question. Aragorn did not falter, his gaze remained steady.
Her shoulders relaxed with defeat.
"I-I look for life past these walls. I feel caged in this stone fortress."
Éowyn's speech increased with her courage.
" Did you know, that there are no gardens? No flowers, no life to celebrate in. And if there are, I certainly have not found them. My adventures have taken me all over our new home, and I have found nothing that grows. Except of course, for the White Tree, which grows with a speed I have never seen."
He took her into his arms,
"You miss the land of your people."
Éowyn looked up from the embrace.
"It is not only that, but I miss growth and life. The shadow of my heart has gone, now I only wish to bring life to this world. Something to tend, something to grow. Green, I wish to make the world."
Aragorn smiled at her speech, then bending slightly, he kissed her on the brow.
"If it is gardens that you wish for, then gardens I will give. But know this, White Lady of Rohan. Life has returned to this court because of you. Look past the stone, and see the life of our people. They are our gardens, and we must tend them."
Éowyn nodded in understanding.
"My thoughts have been selfish."
Aragorn then turned very serious, his voice grew quiet with the whisper of sincerity.
"No, you are not selfish. You only miss the life, the freedom that we both once had. I, too miss it. But this is my place, one that I have searched a long time for."
Worry then took Aragorn's face. He looked down, then took in a deep breath, hesitating before he spoke.
"Do you regret this, this life you have chosen? Do you regret life as a queen?"
Éowyn raised his face to meet hers. In her stare was the passing of her sorrow, her heart washed with the light of pure love that she felt for him. She had no room for regrets, they would cost her too much. She wished for nothing more then the life that she now had.
She smiled before her lips parted.
" I regret nothing."
Aragorn nodded slightly, then moving with great speed, he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her tenderly. They then turned away from the edge of the stone precipice and walked hand in hand, back to the White Tree.
They sat with their hands clasped, speaking of many things. Éowyn's head fell to his chest as they sat by the Fountain, she listened to his heartbeat and thought of the many possibilities that were yet to come. He kissed the crown of her head and rejoiced in the silence of their world.
This was how Frodo found them.
Éowyn sat up and insisted, as did Aragorn, that the Ring-bearer join them.
" I know you wish to journey home. I shall not try to stop you, though I do not want to see you go." Said the King.
Éowyn smiled her kind smile as she looked down upon Frodo.
"Nor do I, for you and all the hobbits are so dear to me. Stay for a while longer."
"I would like to, but I do wish to see Bilbo"
Aragorn nodded,
"Yes, Bilbo shall have but one more journey. I understand your need to see him."
Frodo's eyes looked away from Aragorn's.
"Yes, he has lingered for quite some time. I fear that if I do not leave soon, I might never see him again."
"We will leave in seven days. At that time the last march of King Théoden will take place. Myself, and my queen will escort you at least as far as Edoras."
Frodo looked again into the eyes of Aragorn and smiled.
"Thank you, Aragorn."
Aragorn stopped him before he continued on.
"Do not thank me Ring-bearer, for it is you that we should all thank. Know this, if I have any gifts that I could give to match your deeds, I would give them. As it is, what you desire, shall be made yours. You and your companions will ride in honor and arrayed as princes of this land."
Éowyn watched in a quiet daze as the Ring-bearer bid them farewell. He had only walked a few paces when Éowyn stood suddenly. She opened her mouth to say something, but was silenced as a cold wind blew and encircled her neck. Her entire body began to shake with the chill of the mystic wind that blew only about her. Éowyn fell to her knees as a great weakness took her. Aragorn shouted her name and Frodo turned around and ran back to where she had fallen.
She did not see them, nor did she hear her name upon their lips. Her ears had filled with the magic language of the elves. And though she did not speak or know Elvish, she uttered the words and understood their meaning. They burned with a hot chill in her mind and her lips.
The event past and Éowyn opened her eyes suddenly. The concerned faces of Aragorn and Frodo met her gaze. Aragorn opened his mouth with worry, but was silenced when Éowyn stood on her own. Her hands went to the clasp of the Evenstar and she removed it from her neck. She then placed the token around Frodo's neck.
When she did speak, her voice was changed. It rang with the deep sound of the earth's many ages. And a light ignited around her, one of grace and wisdom, yet still frightening in its strength.
"I give this now to you Frodo Baggins, Ring-bearer. A place now is given to you by the Elves, immortal and wisest of all. This star will guide you through grief and the memory of your burden. If the memory is too heavy, then you may pass into the West, until your wounds and weariness are healed. Forget not this green world, but look now down the road to where the lights of twilight meet the horizon. There you will find peace. Farewell Ring-bearer, farewell."
The light faded and Éowyn fell forward with exhaustion. Aragorn caught her in his arms and together they fell to the ground. Her head and upper body supported by his arms. She looked to Frodo who still looked upon her with shock. His hand rested on the gift that he now wore about his neck. Éowyn spoke between the intakes of breath.
"The protection of the Valar has now passed to you, Frodo."
" I do not understand!" Was Frodo's harsh reply.
Éowyn smiled as her tired eyes tried not to close.
"You will."
Then her eyes closed and she fell into unconsciousness.
Aragorn moved quickly and took her limp body into his arms and carried her indoors, with Frodo following close behind. As they made their way through the main doors, Faramir came running and stopped suddenly in front of the King.
"What has happened?" He asked in desperation. "From my window high above the Tree, I saw that the Queen fell, or has she fainted?"
Aragorn did not care for his words, nor his presence.
"I do not know what has happened, please step aside."
Aragorn's voice held no sympathy or kindness, he only looked upon Faramir with eyes of distrust and anger.
"Let me pass." He asked again.
Faramir's desperation seemed to fade momentarily as his own anger took him. Then he released the breath he was holding and with a sigh of defeat, allowed his King to pass.
Quick feet took Aragorn to their shared rooms. Once he had placed his wife upon their bed, he turned and looked to Frodo.
"Will you find Gandalf for me?"
Frodo only nodded before running out the door in search for Gandalf.
*******
"Éowyn!"
"Éowyn!"
Her eyes opened and she took in a sharp breath. Gandalf's face lit up with a calm smile.
"There now, you are awake."
He released his grip on her hand and patted the top of her head.
"I am afraid you gave us all quite a scare. Aragorn most of all."
Éowyn raised herself with weak arms, then rested her back against the many pillows of the bed.
"That was not my intention."
Gandalf opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Aragorn who came through the door from the adjoining chamber. He stopped in the threshold and looked upon his conscious wife. Éowyn met his stare with a sad smile.
Then Gandalf cleared his throat to speak.
"I believe that I am no longer needed. I will make a rather hasty exit."
He gave a slight bow to Éowyn, who thanked him simply.
"Thank you, Gandalf."
"There is no need to thank me, I am only glad that you were so easy to wake. Rest now and gain more strength."
He then passed Aragorn, who turned and touched his arm.
"Thank you, my friend."
Gandalf smiled, "Your worries are over now. Go to her."
Aragorn nodded his head in appreciation then slowly turned to face Éowyn again.
The White Wizard closed the doors to the many chambers of the King, allowing privacy again to enter the stone walls.
*******
The door shut behind Gandalf and Aragorn rushed to Éowyn's side. He took up her hand and kissed it with passion. He then kissed her wrist and sat down still holding her hand to his chest. With her free hand Éowyn ran light fingers through his hair.
"I am sorry that I worried you so." She whispered to him.
He kissed her hand again.
"That does not matter. I only wish to know what happened, what caused this?"
Éowyn looked away from him,
"I am not exactly sure. I fear I will not be able to explain."
Aragorn touched her chin and brought her gaze back to his.
"Try."
She took in a deep breath.
"I sat and heard your words of gratitude for Frodo, and I wanted to do something for him. If it had not been for him or his quest, I do not think that fate would have allowed you and I to meet. I owe my life and my happiness to Frodo, as do all the people of Middle-earth."
Aragorn exhaled and a sad smiled captured his lips.
"Fate is a strange thing." And with those words he leaned down and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
The kiss ended with their lips still a breath away from one another.
"That still does not explain all of what has occurred," whispered Aragorn.
Éowyn nodded,
"I wanted to stand and give the necklace to Frodo. I thought that it would give him some comfort in his journeys to come, as it had done for me. I know I would never had been freed from my prison if it had not been for the light of the Evenstar. For I saw it in the darkness, and I followed it. I stood to speak of these things to Frodo, when a cold wind blew, and my own thoughts were forgotten."
Her quiet voice faded until their was only silence and the space before the next kiss between them.
Aragorn pulled away from another kiss and looked at her with amazement.
"Then it is true, the protection of the Valar is responsible for this. You have given Frodo the gift I once asked to be given to you. He will be watched over, as you were watched and cared for. He has also been given passage with the Elves. If he feels the need to, he may go into the West."
Éowyn knew this,
"Yes, I remember hearing those words, he can pass into the West, where his wounds and weariness will be healed."
Aragorn nodded slowly,
"You said those very words to Frodo."
She smiled brightly, her gaze looking past him into a strange distant land that only she could see.
"Then I can rest easy, knowing that there will be peace for him."
"Yes, we are indebted to Frodo. . . for many things."
He looked upon her knowingly and she nodded in understanding. Then she raised her face to his and kissed him passionately.
Aragorn pulled away,
"I should leave, you still need more rest."
She clung to him,
"Stay."
A look exchanged between them, one that assured Aragorn of her strength and want.
Aragorn returned his lips to hers for an urgent kiss. Then his hands slowly worked to remove the many layers that separated them from further intimacy.
*******
It was to Gandalf's surprise, that the first person to meet him after his departure from the royal couple, was Faramir.
"Ah, Faramir. How are you this evening?"
Faramir's eyes were intense and he ignored Gandalf's pleasantries.
"What has happened to the Queen?"
Gandalf frowned at his tone and frantic behavior.
"She is fine, Faramir."
Faramir's eyebrows furrowed with confusion.
"I did not ask how she was, I asked what has happened to her."
Gandalf made to walk past him but was slightly annoyed to see that he was still to his side.
"That is something I cannot answer. Only the King or the Queen can answer that. For it was a private moment."
Then Gandalf stopped suddenly and turned with power upon Faramir.
"Why do you care, Faramir? What business is it of yours?"
Faramir looked caught by the question, then his face turned to a kind smile, one of nobility.
"I only ask, for she is my Queen, and the Kingdom cherishes her well being."
Gandalf sighed,
"Indeed."
Then he took Faramir by the arm and brought him close.
"I suggest, Lord Faramir, that you keep to yourself when it comes to the matters of the Queen. Do not forget that you are under the service of the King. Do not disrespect him, nor his Queen. No matter what your feelings are towards her."
He let go of Faramir, sending him stumbling away from him. Faramir moved to speak, but was silenced by Gandalf's hand.
"No, Faramir. Do not respond, for I know what it is you would say. Know this, you have been warned. Do not forget your loyalty to your King."
By
Necole
Disclaimer: All of this belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien!!
Notes: OOOOO lots of notes this time! This is a rather strange chapter, because I am trying to write them as truly together. Yet they have all of these problems that they still need to work out. So, peace and happiness does not come easy. Now, for my big note on Faramir. Look to the book, he says, "were you the blissful Queen of Gondor, still I would love you." So that is my insight for where I am taking him. So no flames about Faramir's character! If he travels into uncharted territory, it is only because of love!!!
I still have BIG plans for this fic, and I appreciate all of you who are still reading this! I hope not to bore!
Now for some thank yous
Trixy: Thank you so much for your truthful review! I appreciated all you had to say! I know I used that whole light and darkness thing WAY too much! I mean it was actually annoying me, and I am writing it! I'm going to try to ignore those two words, but sometimes they have to come back up! As for those last two lines, I agree, they were a bit rushed and not my best! But thank you for sticking it out with me! I hope to entertain more with my following chapters! I hope you will continue to read! Once again, thank you for your honesty!
Dark Wanderer: Thank you for reviewing!!! I, too was annoyed with A/E not being together, it was taking way too long. But they are together now, yet all is not well. They will never have peace, because this is a fan fiction! If they had peace the fic would end, and I have miles to go before I sleep!! I'm glad you are still reading!! Thank you for your sweet words!!!
Van: All I can say is, Thank you! I appreciate your kind words, and I am glad that you are still enjoying my story! I hope that you will continue to do so!! THANK YOU!!!
Kiki: I am not going to give up on this fic, I enjoy writing it, so I shall contiune it! Thank you for your words of encouragement, especially dealing with that icky bad review! What to say? Keep your eyes on Faramir, but remember that I am a TRUE A/E shipper, so don't start worrying yet! Thank you so much for reviewing, and thank you for enjoying my story!
Magsluvsaragorn: I am so glad that you are enjoying my story! I am also happy that you like the length! I plan to make it even longer, so be prepared!! OH! Watch out for Faramir!!!!
Shirl: I am SO SO Happy that you liked my fic!! Thank you so much for reviewing! And I do hope that you will continue to read!!!
Lisa: I am so glad that you liked the last chapter!!! I was worried! I am also worried that you will hate this chapter, but I had to do what I had to do!!! Good Luck with School! And your Harry Potter fic! I am sure that it is phenomenal! Thank you again for being so so sweet!!!
Jen: You always say the nicest things!!! Thank you for that!!! I hate to say that there will definitely be more obstacles, a lot more!! So be prepared! Thank you for always being so kind, I hope that you continue to read and enjoy this story!!!
OKAY!!!! Now, on with the show!!!
Chapter Seven: For Frodo
Éowyn could still hear the sounds of celebration. They rose from the city and the Court of the Fountain on chilled night air. She heard the sounds of life and wished her feet were there to dance. The cold grey of the large room seemed to close in on her. Sleep nor comfort would she find in this room.
She sat up in bed and looked over at the sleeping form of her husband. A gentle smile touched her lips as she moved closer to him. Her touch was faint as she traced the lines of his brow. Even with the peace of sleep his face still held lines of worry. Again she touched them, hoping they would vanish.
They did not.
Eyes opened wide and she heard him take a deep breath. Then his eyes closed again as her lips attempted to do what her hands could not.
"Did I wake you?" She asked him this as her lips found his ear.
"No."
The touch of her lips left him, and he found her face above his.
"Still, you do not sleep?"
Aragorn moved and took her into his arms. Her back was to his chest, their hands were clasp around her waist. He held his lips to her neck for a long time, the heat of his breath caused her to moan as her head fell back onto him. Finally he pulled his lips away and whispered.
"You do not sleep, why should I?"
Éowyn laughed with the suggestion of his roaming hand that accompanied his statement.
With the slow tide of her thoughts came the reasons for her lack of sleep. Her laughter was forgotten and disturbing their closeness she turned in his arms. There was a heavy silence now, one that made the distance between them grow. The bliss of the private moment was forgotten as Aragorn saw her eyes turn cold and grey like the room that held them. He reached out and touched her cheek.
"What is it?"
She smiled with his touch, then closed her eyes for a brief moment. When she did open them again she spoke with honesty.
"I feel that my eyes have been closed for too long. Sleep, I have had, too much. To sleep, is to waste the breath of life, and I do not plan to do that again."
Aragorn watched with quiet sympathy. He knew she felt loss, as did he. The mortal life was a battle, one fought with time. Long did the days seem when sorrow and grief ruled over the land, but now that happiness had found them both, the days grew short.
He touched the Evenstar that still hung from her neck. The life of an immortal was a patient one. A patience that he now longed for.
Éowyn watched as his eyes grew blank and distant. She saw that his hand now lay on the necklace. Her heart fell with the weight of her exhaled breath. Of course, his thought still remained with another. The necklace was all he had left of her. Éowyn did not wish to be jealous. She reacted by first laying a hand over his, then anger was fueled by memory, and she became frozen. The want of his whole heart was all that she could concentrate on. She turned away from him, her back like a wall. She shivered now with the fear of solitude, and the loneliness of such a bare room. Éowyn felt the shock of his stare, so to answer him she spoke with the chill that she now felt.
"I should give this back to you. It is not mine to keep."
Aragorn stared at her turned back, bare and white like sheets of snow. He touched her delicately, with slow hot hands. He traveled the length of her backbone until he reached the slope of her waist. Then he pulled her into a strong, tight embrace. His arms encircled her entire body, and in doing so their arms, their hands merged together like the branches of growing trees.
"I gave it to you, and do not wish for its return."
He kissed her neck, pressing the chain the Evenstar hung by into her skin.
"You are all I wish for."
She did not speak, she only separated herself from the entwining cage of his arms. Éowyn looked at him, studied his face. Her eyes shimmered with the radiance of tears as she closed the distance between them and kissed him.
Grey stone walls came and closed in around them. The rhythm of celebration was slowly absorbed by their bodies, until the world fell away and all was forgotten.
*******
She now looked upon the one thing that grew in Minas Tirith, and even it was not green. The white tree grew and blossomed, but did not bear resemblance to any trees she had seen. It, like the entire city emerged from the mountain with a white pristine glow. She cared not to look at the tree any longer, so she turned her back on the grandness of the High Court. Éowyn walked past the many symbols of her new land, and did not acknowledge them. Her gaze was distant, it looked East where blackness had once been. Yet, now all the land seemed green, and full of life. Something that the White City was missing. Her feet carried her out onto the large mass of stone that jetted out like the floor of a flat bottomed boat. There she stood, on the bow of the city, homesick for the plains of Rohan. She wished for anything green, anything that had life. The city only sparkled below with the loneliness of stone. Her hair tangled in the wind as her eyes called upon the many memories of life that the green world held.
"What do you look for, my lady?"
Startled, she turned quickly. A smile lit up her face when she looked upon her husband. Aragorn came closer, his lines of concern were now quite visible. Éowyn's face fell when their eyes met.
His eyes were wide with the intensity of his question. She looked away, embarrassed by her own selfishness.
"I do not know, my lord."
Aragorn then stepped closer, he touched her lightly on the cheek, causing her to look at him.
"What has brought on your sadness?"
Her eyes searched his, looking for a way to not answer his question. Aragorn did not falter, his gaze remained steady.
Her shoulders relaxed with defeat.
"I-I look for life past these walls. I feel caged in this stone fortress."
Éowyn's speech increased with her courage.
" Did you know, that there are no gardens? No flowers, no life to celebrate in. And if there are, I certainly have not found them. My adventures have taken me all over our new home, and I have found nothing that grows. Except of course, for the White Tree, which grows with a speed I have never seen."
He took her into his arms,
"You miss the land of your people."
Éowyn looked up from the embrace.
"It is not only that, but I miss growth and life. The shadow of my heart has gone, now I only wish to bring life to this world. Something to tend, something to grow. Green, I wish to make the world."
Aragorn smiled at her speech, then bending slightly, he kissed her on the brow.
"If it is gardens that you wish for, then gardens I will give. But know this, White Lady of Rohan. Life has returned to this court because of you. Look past the stone, and see the life of our people. They are our gardens, and we must tend them."
Éowyn nodded in understanding.
"My thoughts have been selfish."
Aragorn then turned very serious, his voice grew quiet with the whisper of sincerity.
"No, you are not selfish. You only miss the life, the freedom that we both once had. I, too miss it. But this is my place, one that I have searched a long time for."
Worry then took Aragorn's face. He looked down, then took in a deep breath, hesitating before he spoke.
"Do you regret this, this life you have chosen? Do you regret life as a queen?"
Éowyn raised his face to meet hers. In her stare was the passing of her sorrow, her heart washed with the light of pure love that she felt for him. She had no room for regrets, they would cost her too much. She wished for nothing more then the life that she now had.
She smiled before her lips parted.
" I regret nothing."
Aragorn nodded slightly, then moving with great speed, he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her tenderly. They then turned away from the edge of the stone precipice and walked hand in hand, back to the White Tree.
They sat with their hands clasped, speaking of many things. Éowyn's head fell to his chest as they sat by the Fountain, she listened to his heartbeat and thought of the many possibilities that were yet to come. He kissed the crown of her head and rejoiced in the silence of their world.
This was how Frodo found them.
Éowyn sat up and insisted, as did Aragorn, that the Ring-bearer join them.
" I know you wish to journey home. I shall not try to stop you, though I do not want to see you go." Said the King.
Éowyn smiled her kind smile as she looked down upon Frodo.
"Nor do I, for you and all the hobbits are so dear to me. Stay for a while longer."
"I would like to, but I do wish to see Bilbo"
Aragorn nodded,
"Yes, Bilbo shall have but one more journey. I understand your need to see him."
Frodo's eyes looked away from Aragorn's.
"Yes, he has lingered for quite some time. I fear that if I do not leave soon, I might never see him again."
"We will leave in seven days. At that time the last march of King Théoden will take place. Myself, and my queen will escort you at least as far as Edoras."
Frodo looked again into the eyes of Aragorn and smiled.
"Thank you, Aragorn."
Aragorn stopped him before he continued on.
"Do not thank me Ring-bearer, for it is you that we should all thank. Know this, if I have any gifts that I could give to match your deeds, I would give them. As it is, what you desire, shall be made yours. You and your companions will ride in honor and arrayed as princes of this land."
Éowyn watched in a quiet daze as the Ring-bearer bid them farewell. He had only walked a few paces when Éowyn stood suddenly. She opened her mouth to say something, but was silenced as a cold wind blew and encircled her neck. Her entire body began to shake with the chill of the mystic wind that blew only about her. Éowyn fell to her knees as a great weakness took her. Aragorn shouted her name and Frodo turned around and ran back to where she had fallen.
She did not see them, nor did she hear her name upon their lips. Her ears had filled with the magic language of the elves. And though she did not speak or know Elvish, she uttered the words and understood their meaning. They burned with a hot chill in her mind and her lips.
The event past and Éowyn opened her eyes suddenly. The concerned faces of Aragorn and Frodo met her gaze. Aragorn opened his mouth with worry, but was silenced when Éowyn stood on her own. Her hands went to the clasp of the Evenstar and she removed it from her neck. She then placed the token around Frodo's neck.
When she did speak, her voice was changed. It rang with the deep sound of the earth's many ages. And a light ignited around her, one of grace and wisdom, yet still frightening in its strength.
"I give this now to you Frodo Baggins, Ring-bearer. A place now is given to you by the Elves, immortal and wisest of all. This star will guide you through grief and the memory of your burden. If the memory is too heavy, then you may pass into the West, until your wounds and weariness are healed. Forget not this green world, but look now down the road to where the lights of twilight meet the horizon. There you will find peace. Farewell Ring-bearer, farewell."
The light faded and Éowyn fell forward with exhaustion. Aragorn caught her in his arms and together they fell to the ground. Her head and upper body supported by his arms. She looked to Frodo who still looked upon her with shock. His hand rested on the gift that he now wore about his neck. Éowyn spoke between the intakes of breath.
"The protection of the Valar has now passed to you, Frodo."
" I do not understand!" Was Frodo's harsh reply.
Éowyn smiled as her tired eyes tried not to close.
"You will."
Then her eyes closed and she fell into unconsciousness.
Aragorn moved quickly and took her limp body into his arms and carried her indoors, with Frodo following close behind. As they made their way through the main doors, Faramir came running and stopped suddenly in front of the King.
"What has happened?" He asked in desperation. "From my window high above the Tree, I saw that the Queen fell, or has she fainted?"
Aragorn did not care for his words, nor his presence.
"I do not know what has happened, please step aside."
Aragorn's voice held no sympathy or kindness, he only looked upon Faramir with eyes of distrust and anger.
"Let me pass." He asked again.
Faramir's desperation seemed to fade momentarily as his own anger took him. Then he released the breath he was holding and with a sigh of defeat, allowed his King to pass.
Quick feet took Aragorn to their shared rooms. Once he had placed his wife upon their bed, he turned and looked to Frodo.
"Will you find Gandalf for me?"
Frodo only nodded before running out the door in search for Gandalf.
*******
"Éowyn!"
"Éowyn!"
Her eyes opened and she took in a sharp breath. Gandalf's face lit up with a calm smile.
"There now, you are awake."
He released his grip on her hand and patted the top of her head.
"I am afraid you gave us all quite a scare. Aragorn most of all."
Éowyn raised herself with weak arms, then rested her back against the many pillows of the bed.
"That was not my intention."
Gandalf opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Aragorn who came through the door from the adjoining chamber. He stopped in the threshold and looked upon his conscious wife. Éowyn met his stare with a sad smile.
Then Gandalf cleared his throat to speak.
"I believe that I am no longer needed. I will make a rather hasty exit."
He gave a slight bow to Éowyn, who thanked him simply.
"Thank you, Gandalf."
"There is no need to thank me, I am only glad that you were so easy to wake. Rest now and gain more strength."
He then passed Aragorn, who turned and touched his arm.
"Thank you, my friend."
Gandalf smiled, "Your worries are over now. Go to her."
Aragorn nodded his head in appreciation then slowly turned to face Éowyn again.
The White Wizard closed the doors to the many chambers of the King, allowing privacy again to enter the stone walls.
*******
The door shut behind Gandalf and Aragorn rushed to Éowyn's side. He took up her hand and kissed it with passion. He then kissed her wrist and sat down still holding her hand to his chest. With her free hand Éowyn ran light fingers through his hair.
"I am sorry that I worried you so." She whispered to him.
He kissed her hand again.
"That does not matter. I only wish to know what happened, what caused this?"
Éowyn looked away from him,
"I am not exactly sure. I fear I will not be able to explain."
Aragorn touched her chin and brought her gaze back to his.
"Try."
She took in a deep breath.
"I sat and heard your words of gratitude for Frodo, and I wanted to do something for him. If it had not been for him or his quest, I do not think that fate would have allowed you and I to meet. I owe my life and my happiness to Frodo, as do all the people of Middle-earth."
Aragorn exhaled and a sad smiled captured his lips.
"Fate is a strange thing." And with those words he leaned down and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
The kiss ended with their lips still a breath away from one another.
"That still does not explain all of what has occurred," whispered Aragorn.
Éowyn nodded,
"I wanted to stand and give the necklace to Frodo. I thought that it would give him some comfort in his journeys to come, as it had done for me. I know I would never had been freed from my prison if it had not been for the light of the Evenstar. For I saw it in the darkness, and I followed it. I stood to speak of these things to Frodo, when a cold wind blew, and my own thoughts were forgotten."
Her quiet voice faded until their was only silence and the space before the next kiss between them.
Aragorn pulled away from another kiss and looked at her with amazement.
"Then it is true, the protection of the Valar is responsible for this. You have given Frodo the gift I once asked to be given to you. He will be watched over, as you were watched and cared for. He has also been given passage with the Elves. If he feels the need to, he may go into the West."
Éowyn knew this,
"Yes, I remember hearing those words, he can pass into the West, where his wounds and weariness will be healed."
Aragorn nodded slowly,
"You said those very words to Frodo."
She smiled brightly, her gaze looking past him into a strange distant land that only she could see.
"Then I can rest easy, knowing that there will be peace for him."
"Yes, we are indebted to Frodo. . . for many things."
He looked upon her knowingly and she nodded in understanding. Then she raised her face to his and kissed him passionately.
Aragorn pulled away,
"I should leave, you still need more rest."
She clung to him,
"Stay."
A look exchanged between them, one that assured Aragorn of her strength and want.
Aragorn returned his lips to hers for an urgent kiss. Then his hands slowly worked to remove the many layers that separated them from further intimacy.
*******
It was to Gandalf's surprise, that the first person to meet him after his departure from the royal couple, was Faramir.
"Ah, Faramir. How are you this evening?"
Faramir's eyes were intense and he ignored Gandalf's pleasantries.
"What has happened to the Queen?"
Gandalf frowned at his tone and frantic behavior.
"She is fine, Faramir."
Faramir's eyebrows furrowed with confusion.
"I did not ask how she was, I asked what has happened to her."
Gandalf made to walk past him but was slightly annoyed to see that he was still to his side.
"That is something I cannot answer. Only the King or the Queen can answer that. For it was a private moment."
Then Gandalf stopped suddenly and turned with power upon Faramir.
"Why do you care, Faramir? What business is it of yours?"
Faramir looked caught by the question, then his face turned to a kind smile, one of nobility.
"I only ask, for she is my Queen, and the Kingdom cherishes her well being."
Gandalf sighed,
"Indeed."
Then he took Faramir by the arm and brought him close.
"I suggest, Lord Faramir, that you keep to yourself when it comes to the matters of the Queen. Do not forget that you are under the service of the King. Do not disrespect him, nor his Queen. No matter what your feelings are towards her."
He let go of Faramir, sending him stumbling away from him. Faramir moved to speak, but was silenced by Gandalf's hand.
"No, Faramir. Do not respond, for I know what it is you would say. Know this, you have been warned. Do not forget your loyalty to your King."